How on earth did this coin make it into a PCGS slab?

FEC

EBAY LINK

Look at the close ups. Appears to have significant PVC and environmental damage.

morgansforever

I agree with the PVC, it's all over the obverse, little green specs.

commoncents05

Looks fine to me, and I would never fully judge a coin based on a less than stellar internet picture.

-Paul

Moonbiter

Wow, they slabbed that and not my 1890-CC $1 which looks a heck of a lot better then that. Go figure.

FEC

<< <i>I agree with the PVC, it's all over the obverse, little green specs. >>



On the reverse wreath in the area stems would be, thre is a chunk of something that looks like enviornmental damage.

FEC

JSsson

Sometimes coins will turn in the holder as the holders are not airtight. When the coin was put in the holder it may not have showed any signs of damage.

FEC

<< <i>Sometimes coins will turn in the holder as the holders are not airtight. When the coin was put in the holder it may not have showed any signs of damage. >>



If that is the case then that coin would be a good candidate for PCGS's buyback guarantee.

GrumpyEd

I wonder if it's as green as the pic looks.

That spot on the rev looks like it might be corrosion.

pheh

Don't really agree with the grade, but to me it looks like a nice natural EF45/50. Reverse blob looks like folder gunk to me. The green is riding on top of the patina... seems like a few swipes with a camel hair brush would clean it up nicely.

Obviously I can't know for sure... but I bet it looks closer to this in hand:

HTubbs

I don't do much with early US copper, but I know that with older Darkside coins, green is considered acceptable. I personally don't like but I guess it comes with the territory.

Case in point:

NumisOxide

Isn't that just verdigris?

Frankcoins

There are several oxides and sulfides of copper that are green and stable. Copper coins should be left alone unless the green is from PVC or the powdery copper salts known as verdigris.

09sVDB

Looks like verdigris to me. I have a 1798/7 in a PCGS G6 holder that has this look and I love it.

originalisbest

Just looks like old fashioned gunk and leather purse residue, and actually, quite acceptable. Once upon a time I didn't care for the presence of this, but now would welcome it on an early copper. Not damaging to the coin, not growing or otherwise "active". Good topic to bring up!

ColonialCoinUnion

Looks like a typical, unconserved early copper of the sort that are regularly seen in slabs.

WoodenJefferson

One has to remember that in 2005, the entire Gulf Coast was effected by hurricane Katrina and then quickly followed up by Rita. If this coin was close to any of these hurricanes, there is bound to be some moisture problems.

7Jaguars

Well, it is just a picture but it definately looks to be corrosion products esp in the hair to the lower right of the bust and on the reverse as you have pointed out along with some about some of the stars. That darksider is quite a bit older and some allowance might be made for that. As I may know a bit about British coins, I can tell you that if a Queen Victoria bronze had such it would be BB'd in a New York minute...No touchee on that coin would be my advice and expect the green to advance. I have seen such coins "conserved" and then lose some of the aqcuired skin and have the bronze disease/verdigris to come back as strong as it originally was...

Baley

A very tough type, that coin is far above average, even with a bit of verdigris

For example: everyone, show your own classic cent that's better looking than this one

<crickets chirp chirping>

I know for sure mine example is not that nice. I do think it deserves to be encapsulated and graded

edit: just to be clear, I don't like it so much at AU55 (but think it's great for a 45 or maybe even a 50)